Hooray! Isabella and Ferdinand have been here! They had a wedding to attend in England and we were lucky that they came to Geneva to visit us beforehand.
Ferdinand had to work at the beginning, organizing a golf event. Once work was done, on the weekend, the four of us set off on a Swiss adventure.
Our first stop was the Lavaux wine region. Isabella can’t drink currently (she is expecting), but we wanted to show them this UNESCO gem nonetheless. So, we took the Chexbres exit off of the A1 and descended down the village towns into Rivaz. They were breathtaken with the gorgeous terraced vineyards as we are every time we visit.
Next stop…..Gruyères.
Ramparts of Gruyères
Walking around the château
Lovely little village
We skipped the cheese tour (we knew we were having raclette for dinner), but all did order Gruyère-cheese based dishes for lunch.
After Gruyères, we drove to Broc, home of Cailler chocolate factory.
Smelling the cocoa beans.
Branche candy bar machine
Ta da! The tasting room!
I just go straight to the good stuff at the end now. I am trained.
Discussing the merits of milk & white chocolate
Weeeeee!
After playing on the playground a bit, we headed back to Geneva. We had a big night in store.
The Schwingen & Switzerland crew was hosting a raclette party before the big Fête de Genève fireworks. Ferdinand and Isabella had raclette their last time in Switzerland, in Zurich, but they were impressed by S’s monstrous spread.
The spread at the S’s
Raclette in action
For dessert, S had “Creme de Gruyère” and “Creme Brulée” Movenpick ice cream. She surprised her dad and me with a candle in each carton for a birthday surprise. It was the loveliest ‘cake’ I have ever had. If you have an opportunity, I urge you to try Movenpick ice cream. Full of Swiss whole cream, its the real deal.
We left their house and were immersed in the madness that is Fête de Genève. We say it is the absolute busiest, craziest time of year in Geneva.
We luckily found a spot for 12 of us, near the rides, and watched the magnificent hour long fireworks:
The beginning of the fireworks
Love this type!
Jet d’eau, in harmony with the show
What a perfect Swiss day!
Related Links:
The Swiss Watch Blog: Cheese Wars
The Swiss Watch Blog: It’s Raining – I guess we have to go to the chocolate factory
The Swiss Watch Blog: Famous Swiss Foods – Cheese
The Swiss Watch Blog: Famous Swiss Foods – Chocolate
The Swiss Watch Blog: The land of chocolate and cheese
The Swiss Watch Blog: Thanks for a Joyeux Anniversaire, everyone
The Swiss Watch Blog: The fête commences
The Swiss Watch Blog 
It was a perfect day! Thanks for hosting us…I cannot stop thinking about the land of chocolate and cheese.